Techies on trucks, ‘3rd world’ jibe: Metro back on track after snag cripples Bengaluru
BMRCL restores Purple Line services after a technical fault at Cubbon Park Metro Station disrupted Bengaluru commuters and sparked a "third world" jibe from BJP
The ordeal for Bengaluru commuters that started with a technical snag in a train at the Cubbon Park Metro Station on Tuesday (June 23) evening during peak hours and prompted a “third-world” jibe from the BJP has finally ended.
The Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) on Wednesday (June 24) announced that the issue has been resolved and normal Metro services across the entire Purple Line have resumed as per the regular timetable from 5 AM.
Services back on track
BMRCL, in a post on X, stated that the technical issue encountered at Cubbon Park Metro Station has been successfully rectified by the dedicated Operations and Maintenance team.
Also Read: Peak-hour snag cripples Bengaluru Metro Purple line, stranding commuters
Normal Metro services across the entire Purple Line have resumed as per the regular timetable from 5 AM on Wednesday, it added.
Urging passengers to make note of the restoration, BMRCL requested them to continue to utilise the safe, reliable and efficient services of Namma Metro.
"BMRCL sincerely thanks all commuters for their patience, understanding and cooperation during the temporary service disruption," it added.
BJP’s ‘third-world’ jibe
The Opposition BJP latched onto the issue with party MP Tejasvi Surya, in a post on X, taking a swipe at the Congress-led government in the state, claiming that hardworking professionals in India's Silicon Valley were forced to hitch rides on trucks just to get home after work on Tuesday due to disruption of metro services on Purple Line.
He also posted a purported video showing people climbing onto trucks to apparently reach their destinations. The stretch was heavily congested with vehicles, resulting in traffic snarls and inconvenience to commuters.
Also Read: Bengaluru-Tumakuru Metro project moves ahead: All you need to know
"First-world tech talent. Third-world governance. That is the story of Bengaluru," he said in the post.
According to him, Metro disruptions have become alarmingly frequent. And every time the Metro fails, the entire city descends into chaos. Cabs disappear. Autos refuse rides. Citizens are stranded.
"Yesterday, hardworking professionals in India's Silicon Valley were forced to hitch rides on trucks and lorries just to get home after work. They will wake up tomorrow, go back to office, pay their taxes, and endure the same broken system all over again," he added.
Peak-hour breakdown
The problem began during peak hours on Tuesday after a train developed a technical snag at Cubbon Park Metro Station at around 6.32 pm, officials said.
Following the disruption, additional police personnel were deployed near Metro stations to ensure public safety, security, and the smooth movement of commuters.
The disruption also led to massive traffic congestion on city roads on Tuesday evening.
Commuters voice frustration
Commuters took to social media to express their frustration as many struggled to find alternative modes of transport.
Several users reported ride-hailing apps declining bookings or taking unusually long to process them, while some autorickshaw drivers allegedly charged exorbitant fares. Some commuters shared cabs and autos to reach their respective destinations.
(With agency inputs)